Boys soccer notes: North out to capture a team first

North’s boys soccer team set a goal to make school history this year — winning a City League title. This feat has never been done before at North, not even by its 1989 state championship team.

“We want to be the first team from North to do that,” North coach Curt Wullschleger said. “If we keep our team focused on each game one at a time, the postseason will take care of itself.”

The Redskins played in a state quarterfinal match the past two years, but lost both times to Northwest. Although North started slowly this season with two losses in the Titan Classic, it has won four straight, including last Thursday at East.

North sits atop the City League standings at 3-0, 4-2 overall.

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“We’ve managed to get the right players in the best positions to be the most successful. It took us a while to develop chemistry and get the right guys in the right spots,” Wullschleger said. “One of our mottos is, ‘Get better today,’ and that’s translated into these last few games for us.”

North’s climb to the top of the City League comes despite adjusting to Wullschleger’s first year as coach.

But with a senior-heavy team, Wullschleger and his team know this is its best opportunity to reach its goal for a City League title.

“The time is right for us. If we’re going to make any noise in the City League, now is the time,” Wullschleger said. “We have the players and we’re going to treat each of our opponents with respect and give them our best every time out.”

North has seen production all over the field, scoring 30 goals in its last four games while allowing only three. Juan Barron leads the Redskins’ attack, with Cobi Black and Jesus Hernandez taking over leadership roles on the field. Abraham Ruelas and Miguel Regalado anchor down the center defense.

New coach, no problem — Maize South (7-1) has not stopped to notice a transition with new coach Rey Ramirez.

“The work rate and the amount of effort that the boys have put forward has really paid off. I think playing some of the top competition in the area before the season started has gotten our guys in line this season,” Ramirez said. “We’re really at our peak right now and we’re planning on continuing and going forward.”

More than 12 players have scored for Maize South, and Ramirez is comfortable starting any of his 16 players. Yobani Delgado and Jake Eskridge have taken over leadership positions through the midfield.

“We’re not missing a whole bunch in front of the goal,” Ramirez said. “I really can’t see any weaknesses right now. We’ve just developed and right now we’re really at one of our top spots we’ve been at.”

An early loss to Salina South taught the team consistency. Ramirez used the loss as an example of what needed to be corrected, and the Mavericks have gone on a three-game winning streak heading into its match with Derby on Thursday.